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The special arrangement for the renewal of expiring and expired vehicle and driving licences for past years' pre-budget days to avoid pre-budget rush has proved very effective, and will be adopted again this year.
"The special arrangement has been effective in maintaining the number of applications for vehicle and driving licences renewal during the few days before the Budget announcement at more or less the normal level," a Transport Department (TD) spokesman said today (February 12). "There were no abnormal queues, and the arrangement was well received by the public. In view of the satisfactory results over the past years, the special arrangement will again be adopted this year."
Details of the arrangement for this year are as follows:
* All vehicle licences eligible for renewal on or before Budget Day (February 28, 2007), i.e. vehicles that are registered at the time of renewal and with licence expiry dates falling on or before June 27, 2007, can be renewed at the present rate, whether for four months or 12 months, at any time up to and including June 27, 2007.
* All full Hong Kong driving licences and driving instructor's licences eligible for renewal on or before Budget Day (February 28, 2007), i.e. those with expiry dates falling on or before June 27, 2007 and those which have expired for less than three years at the time of renewal up to June 27, 2007, can be renewed at the present rate at any time up to and including June 27, 2007.
The special arrangement applies only to the vehicle licences, full driving licences and driving instructor's licences meeting the above conditions. It does not apply to any other licensing services.
There is no need for eligible licence holders to rush to Transport Department counters to have their licences renewed on speculation that those licence fees may be increased in the coming Budget.
"The arrangement is made solely to deal with the potential problem of long queues. The contents of the Budget are a separate question on which the department has no information," the TD spokesman stressed.
At present, applications for renewal of vehicle and driving licences can be submitted through Internet, by post and by placing in the drop boxes at the four licensing offices of Transport Department. The public is encouraged to renew their licences through these channels.
Ends/Monday, February 12, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:56
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